Welcome back to another week of Fantasy hockey. We’re into mid-March now, with just a couple of weeks left in the regular season, so this is your final chance to add waiver wire talent to your squad.

This week, the NHL announced it’s moved the draft lottery up this year, to April 9; despite an appeal, Gary Bettman upheld the ridiculous two-game suspension handed to Jakub Voracek for protecting himself; and, an NHL investigation has concluded that Toronto blueliner Morgan Rielly did not use an anti-gay term at referee Brad Meier on Monday.

And now, let’s get to this week’s Fantasy hockey waiver wire recommendations…

Brendan Perlini, RW, Chicago Blackhawks (ESPN: 3 per cent; CBS: 8 per cent): After scoring 30 points in his sophomore season for the Coyotes, Perlini has been a bit of a disappointment this season both before and after he was traded to Chicago. However, he’s turned things around recently. Teamed with Alex DeBrincat and Dylan Strome on a very young second line for the Hawks, Perlini has recorded back-to-back three point games (including his first NHL hat trick against the team that traded him — see video below), giving him five goals and two helpers over the last four. Through 35 games since joining the Hawks, he now has 10 goals, and he should reach 15 for the season for the second straight campaign. The Great Britain native has size (6’3″, 211) and speed, and is starting to flash the skill that made him the 12th overall pick in 2014.

Jared McCann, LW, Pittsburgh Penguins (ESPN: 15.9 per cent; CBS: 24 per cent): McCann was shut out Thursday, coming on the heels of back-to-back multi-point games and five points in his previous four. Since arriving in Steel City and getting a chance to play with Sidney Crosby, McCann has been a different player. In 21 games as a Penguin, McCann already has more goals than he scored in 46 games with the Panthers to start the season.

Jakob Silfverberg, RW, Anaheim Ducks (ESPN: 38.9 per cent; CBS: 39 per cent): Anaheim had been playing better lately, much of that thanks to the scorching play of Silfverberg, who is riding a seven-game point streak (4-5-9) including scoring goals in three straight. If he continues at this pace, he could reach 40 points for the third straight season.

Erik Brannstrom, D, Ottawa Senators (ESPN: 0.4 per cent; CBS: 13 per cent): A key component of the Mark Stone deal, Brannstrom was taken 15th overall by Vegas in 2017. Brannstrom made his NHL debut on Thursday, going +1 in 17:20 of ice time. After scoring 29 points in 46 games in the AHL this season, this kid is a big part of the Ottawa rebuild and deserves watching down the stretch.

Garret Sparks, G, Toronto Maple Leafs (ESPN: 1.8 per cent; CBS: 11 per cent): Sparks makes for a fine DFS play on Saturday when he’ll start against lowly Ottawa. Over his last two games, he’s been much better, saving 45 of 48 shots in relief efforts after Frederik Andersen didn’t look so hot (just as he didn’t look so great Friday, either). Sparks was brilliant as the AHL starter last season, earning the backup gig in Toronto this season, and he’s seen a bit more action in the NHL this time around.

Anton Khudobin, G, Dallas Stars (ESPN: 4.9 per cent; CBS: 20 per cent): Khudobin gave up a soft goal early on Friday, but then saved 35 of the final 36 shots as he continued a superb run over the last week. His record is no hell this season, but there’s nothing wrong with his 2.54 GAA and .925 save percentage (plus two shutouts). With Ben Bishop out day-to-day, Khubodin makes for a great short-term add.

Casey DeSmith, G, Pittsburgh Penguins (ESPN: 9.5 per cent; CBS: 33 per cent): DeSmith made 26 saves on Thursday — 21 at even strength — to earn his third shutout of the season. He’s now won 15 games with a solid .916 save percentage, seeing way more in action in his second season in the league. DeSmith’s play, along with Matt Murray, has the Penguins poised for another Cup run; in fact, you could argue that DeSmith’s run in December really turned Pittsburgh’s season around. And after a couple of down months, it looks like DeSmith is going to finish strong.

RotoRob Tune of the Day

American pop singer Linda Ronstadt racked up a ton of awards in a career that spanned 44 years before she retired in 2011 because of illness. In 1975, she released her sixth solo album, Prisoner in Disguise. The second single from this effort was “Heat Wave,” a cover of the 1963 Martha and the Vandellas‘ hit.

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Now it’s your turn. Let us know in the comments below who your favourite Fantasy hockey pickup of the week is.

Having recently returned to the starting lineup, Kurucs has been going off with three straight double-digit scoring efforts with at least six boards, seven combined treys and a career-high three swats on Wednesday. His touches are actually down a smidge lately, but he’s doing a much better job of getting to the line to supplement his scoring. Consider the rookie in deeper leagues.

Hronek has spent half this season in the AHL, showing tremendous offensive talent (23 points in 28 games), and he’s looked so much better since his latest NHL recall, picking up four assists over the last four games. Detroit is focused on the future, and he’s a huge part of that, so expect him to continue to log heavier minutes down the stretch.

Zeller’s on a nice little roll. flirting with a double-double in each of the last six games, while reaching double-digit points in four straight. His bucket count’s up the last couple of weeks after a slow start to the month and his overall PT has risen this season, giving him the chance to become a Fantasy factor again. In fact, this is his best rebounding season yet. Since he returned from an injury two and a half weeks ago, Zeller has really turned it on, so needs to be owned in smaller formats and given strong consideration in standard-sized leagues.

Recalled in late-December, Pirri looked amazing when first brought up, but has slumped recently. Still, he scored Tuesday and had two shots while going +1 on Thursday, so is showing signs of life. There’s talk that Pirri could move into a top six role with the top line not playing as dominantly as it did last season. As an UFA this summer, he’s sure to garner some serious interest from teams looking to add scoring.